Ashura infants

Every year on the month of Muharram, some women with their newborns participate in a special mourning ceremony to memorize the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussain’s six month old infant who was violently martyred at Karbala.

Ashura

Ashura

Ashura

 

Shia Muslims do not practice self-flagellation on Ashura

Despite what you  see in the Google image when you search the word of “Ashura”, Any self-mutilation such as self-flagellation with knives, chains or razors even walking on fire is definitely not allowed in Islam, but It seems this is the media policy showing Shia Muslims as violent as they can!

Ritual self-flagellation is forbidden by Shia clerics such as Grand Ayatullah Khamenei who is the leader of Islamic Republic of Iran:

“blood matam (Self-flagellation) is a part of the culture that was made up. It is an issue that has no relation to religion and, without doubt, Allah is not happy with it.

Ashura

Every year on the day of Ashura, Millions of Muslims dressed in black, take to street to mourn the martyrdom anniversary of the prophet Muhammad’s grandson and his all companions.

This video shows one of the large gatherings and a mourning procession held by people in the north of Tehran on Ashura 2014.

A large gathering on the day of Ashura in the Martyr Tehrani Moqaddam square(Kaj square), Tehran, I.R.Iran

 

When is Ashura 2015?

Ashura in 2015 is on Saturday, the 24th Oct.

The day of Ashura (/ʌʃuːrʌ /) is the 10th day of Muharram(/Mohærræm/) which is the first month of Islamic calender.

Ashura marks the day in which prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Husayn, and all 72 of his companions were violently martyred more than 14 centuries ago in Karbala. They all sacrifice what they have to save Islam from utter distortion and destruction. Thus every year on the day of Ashura, millions of mourners commemorate their martyrdom anniversary to memorize what Imam Husayn (PBUH) taught us: He taught us all how to stand up and resist oppression, monarchy, Shimrs, Yazids and Ibn Ziads of the the present time, the current age.

Ashura in Iran

Ashura in Iran

Ashura Day

Every year on the day of Ashura, Millions of Muslims dressed in black, take to street to mourn the martyrdom anniversary of the prophet Muhammad’s grandson and his all companions.

These photos show a mourning procession held by people in one area in Tehran, Iran.

Ashura in Iran

Quote about Muharram

 

Reference: (1995) The Ashura Uprising in the Words and Messages of Imam Khomeini.Tehran, Iran:The Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini’s Works

Ashura is not عاشورا!

As you may know, “Ashura” is English translation for “عاشورا” in Persian and Arabic languages, but when you search both titles separately on Google image, you will find the results completely different!

The results of searching “عاشورا”

How media show “Ashura”

If you notice to websites hosted the images  of the results, you will see that the most results of عاشورا are connected to Iranian websites in Persian language, but most of “Ashura” images are connected to western websites and famous media like IBTimes and The Telegraph.

The question is why such media depict a bloody Ashura and try to attribute this violence to Shia people while self-flagellation with knives or chains is absolutely impermissible in Islam as the command of the supreme leader of Iran, Imam Khamenei, and other clerics.

Quote about Imam Hussain by Imam Khomeini

Ashura and disseminating sadness and tears among people?!

Each year, on the tenth of Muharram, the first month in lunar calendar, Millions of people, dressed in black, take to the streets and mosques to mourn the martyrdom anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hussain (PBUH), on a day known as Ashura.

Ashura in Karbala

The supreme leader of the Islamic republic of Iran made a speech about Ashura in 2008:

“…I would like to make some statements regarding Muharram and Ashura. Muharram is one of the historical stages that I talked about. The Shia have made every effort to keep Ashura alive. As you see, for many years and centuries in succession never have the people following the Prophet’s (PBUH) household and believing in the Prophet’s (PBUH) household forgotten Imam Hussain’s memory, Imam Hussain’s name, Imam Hussain’s burial place and Imam Hussain’s mourning. Many efforts have been made to encourage people to forget the events of Ashura, but people never did so. You have heard the story of Motavakel and his blocking the way [to Karbala]. They have committed foolish acts and raised foolish objections. Throughout history, they have raised numerous seemingly scientific, emotional and experiential objections. Nevertheless, Shiites have kept them alive and must do so.

Tears on Ashura

“Why are you disseminating sadness, crying and tears among people?” They complain. This is not sadness and tears for the sake of sadness and tears.

Karbala in the words of the Prophet Muhammad

Congratulations to all believers in God for the birth anniversary of his last Messenger , the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his descendants).

“My son is buried in a land called Karbala, a monument which has always been an Islamic Dome as there God saved the companions of the Prophet Noah from the hurricane.”

 -Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) (Kamil Al-Ziarat; p.269)

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و آله:

 “يُقْبَرُ ابْنِي بِأَرْضٍ يُقَالُ لَهَا كَرْبَلَاءُ هِيَ الْبُقْعَةُ الَّتِي كَانَتْ فِيهَا قُبَّةُ الْإِسْلَامِ الَّتِي نَجَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهَا الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَ نُوحٍ فِي الطُّوفَانِ”

کامل الزیارات، صفحه 269

A man from the descendants of Imam Hussain

Today marks the leadership commencement anniversary of a man from the descendants of Imam Hussain (PBUH). A man who has been appointed as the 12th and the last Imam since 1176 years ago.

He is Imam Mahdi who has been living among us right now although we do not know him, but there is no doubt in his reappearance as God and his holy Prophets have promised:

Mahdi

Quote about Imam Hussain by Mahatma Gandhi

The epic created by Imam Hussain (Peace be upon him) is eternal.  It continues to arouse human conscience and has not been limited to Muslims. It has inspired non-Muslims as well throughout the ages.

Mahatma Gandhi, who led the struggle for the independence of India from British rule, and who initiated the Non-Violent Movement, made the famous statement about Imam Hussain:

More at Impact of Imam Hussain (PBUH) on Non-Muslims

How media show Shia on Ashura

Ashura in mountain

Some Shia Muslims held a procession in mountain in Iran, to mark the day of Ashura 2014.

Ashura in Iran

Ashura in snow

Some Shia Muslims held a procession on the day of Ashura to commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of the prophet Muhammad’s grandson, in spite of the snowy weather.

Photos were taken on the day of Ashura in 2014, in the north of Iran. 

Ashura in Iran

Ashura in Iran